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OPERA HISPÁNICA
THE NATION’S FIRST AND ONLY HISPANIC OPERA COMPANY
PRESENTS NEW YORK’S FIRST-EVER LATINO OPERA FESTIVAL

Festival to include the tango-opera Maria de Buenos Aires at (Le) Poisson Rouge and Pasiones! The Pulse of Zarzuela featuring renowned soprano Eglise Gutiérrez at The Americas Society

New York, NY (January 18, 2013) Opera Hispánica, the nation’s first and only Spanish-language and Hispanic opera company, will present its inaugural Festival this spring. The pioneering company’s mission is to promote operas and vocal works that are in Spanish, written by Latino or Hispanic composers or works inspired by the Latino culture, ranging from the traditional Spanish zarzuela to modern-day tango-operas. The Opera Hispánica Festival—a month-long series of performances, panel discussions, master classes, and special events—is scheduled to take place in March 2013 at leading venues throughout New York City.

Founded in 2009 by producer Daniel Frost Hernández, Opera Hispánica operates under its three core properties: Opera Hispánica Festival, OH on Tour, and OHLA (Opera Hispánica Leadership Academy). The company has performed to sold-out audiences throughout New York City at significant venues such as The Heckscher Theater at El Museo del Barrio, The Americas Society and Barnard College. In September of 2012, OH performed for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Awards in Washington D.C., honoring actor and comedian George Lopez.

William Berger of Metropolitan Opera Radio said of OH, “No opera company strikes me as more interesting and more vital for New York today than Opera Hispánica. Siempre hacia adelante.”

The Opera Hispánica Festival kicks off on Wednesday, March 6 with an Opening Concert & Reception at the Consulate General of Argentina, with a special guest appearance by Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard.

On Thursday, March 7, special musical experts host a panel discussion entitled Zarzuela: What’s in the Name? examining the unique art of Spanish musical theatre at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute.

The following evening Opera Hispánica returns to Music of the Americas at the Americas Society for a concert of Spanish Zarzuela featuring soprano Eglise Gutiérrez. Hailed as “riveting” and “beguiling” by The New York Times, the Cuban soprano makes her Opera Hispánica debut after appearing with The Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, Teatro Liceu, and the Caramoor Festival. Ms. Gutiérrez is joined by Jorge Parodi on piano performing Spanish and Latin American favorites by Moreno Torroba, Vives and Lecuona, among others.

Along with Manhattan School of Music and the Martina Arroyo Foundation, the Festival will also include a special Master Class on Thursday, March 14 led by opera legend Martina Arroyo, coaching singers on Spanish and Latin American-specific opera repertory.

The Opera Hispánica Festival concludes with a new production of Astor Piazzolla’s popular tango-opera María de Buenos Aires at (Le) Poisson Rouge on March 15 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. In addition, a free performance of María de Buenos Aires will be held at Fordham High School of the Arts for its students and the South Bronx community with the date to be announced. The production will be conducted by Jorge Parodi and directed by Beth Greenberg.

“The Opera Hispánica Festival provides another opportunity for OH to unite composers, artists, and the greater community who share a passion for opera and the Latino and Hispanic cultures,” said Daniel Frost Hernández, OH Founder & Executive Director. “OH is honored to be partnering with leading New York City institutions to bring audiences an alternative and important form of cultural entertainment.”

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Festival Schedule of Events

Opening Concert & ReceptionConsulate General of Argentina
Wednesday, March 6 at 6:00 p.m.